Fastening element for wall and ceiling constructions



Feb. 28, 1950 A OLSEN 2,499,278

FASTENING ELEMENT FOR WALL AND CEILING CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Nov. 16, 1945 2 Sheets-sheaf, 1

INVENTOR 4 fln/am's 6. Owe/v- ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1950 A. c. OLSEN 2,499,273

FASTENING ELEMENT FOR WALL AND CEILING CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Nov.l6, 194s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Amos/as 6? 04:5.

Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FASTENING ELEMENT FOR WALL AND CEILING CON STRUCTIONS Anders 0. Olsen, Forest Hills, N. Y. Application November 16, 1945, Serial No. 629,148

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to building interior construction and particularly to the built-up panel type of structure suitable for erecting building walls and ceilings. More specifically, this invention is concerned with the type of modern ceiling or similar sheathing installation in which marginally slotted panels or tile units are employcd in the erection of the exposed portions of the construction, these panels or tile units being associated with fastening means serving to conmeet them to supports such as channelled furring elements or studs.

In the above indicated type of construction, for example, in the erection of a ceiling, channelled furring elements, known also as plasterers channels, are suspended in a common plane at regularly spaced intervals from a suitable overhead framing structure, and surfacin panels or tiles are connected to these channels by means of fasteners. These fasteners customarily are adapted either to engage the slotted panels or tiles directly or to support elongated splines and cross strips which, in turn, engage the slotted units and maintain them in a common plane. The panels or tiles may be of the type possessing certain advantageous acoustic properties, as well as of lightweight and fireproof character, by being made of sound-deadening materials of low specific gravity which are non-inflammable or do not readily support combustion.

Suspension type ceiling installations of this general character present an attractive appearance and are so readily adapted for remodelling purposes, particularly in concealing beams, pipes, etc., that may be exposed to view in rooms, as to be favored by increasing numbers of architects, contractors and home owners. However, such installations employing channelled studs or furrin elements are susceptible of improvement in the avoidance of time-consuming presently required in the application of awkwardly adaptable fastening means, and in the elimination of an unnecessary waste of material involved in the use of complex construction elements of special design.

One object of the present invention is to provide novel fastening elements for use in the above indicated type of interior panelling construction which render it possible to use standard, relatively low cost construction channels without, in addition, requiring the use of specially designed construction parts.

Another object is to provide improved fastening elements capable of being rapidly and efflciently snapped into engagement with channelled furring members or metal studs in attaching thereto an integrated covering of marginally slotted panels or tiles.

A further object is to provide fastening elements for use in ceiling installations to suspend channelled furring members from an overhead framing structure.

An additional object resides in the provision of fastening elements of the foregoing character possessing a novel yet simple means for detachably connecting each of them to a channelled furring strip or a metal stud.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the followin specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of fastening element embodying the present invention which is adapted for suspending marginally kerfed or slotted panels or tile units from channelled furring members or studs;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the fastening element of Fig. l is first engaged with a channel;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another form of fastening element embodying the present invention which is adapted for suspending channelled furring members from an overhead framing structure in a ceiling installation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the fastening element of Fig. 3 is first engaged with a channel;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a suspended ceiling construction erected with the fastening elements of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a fastening element embodying featuresof the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral III. This fastening element l0 may be formed of sheet metal, a thermosettin plastic or other suitable material and comprises an upstanding plate H, roughly rectangular in form, and an essentially flat apron or flange i2 formed at one end of the plate. The apron or flange l 2 extends beyond the sides and faces of the plate It in a plane which lies substantially at right angles to the plate. In this instance, the plate II is integrally connected to the right-angular flange l2 by means of 8.

along lines 1-! hinglng portion |3 which is doubled back onto the upper surface of the flange l2 and extends from one fold line It to the opposite fold line IS. the latter being approximately colinear with the longitudinal medium line of the flange |2. The somewhat rectangular plate II is further defined by its vertical sides l6 and H which extend between the upper free end or edge l8 and the lower edge l5, the edges I and I8 lying substantially parallel to each other.

If desired, however, the foregoing design of the fastener ||l may be altered considerably, for example, by projecting the upstanding plate directly from the flange |2 without resorting to an intermediate hinging portion |3. For certain installations which do not present the problem of guarding against the deleterious effect of dust filtering through the joints between adjacent erected panels or tiles and depositing on the exposed surfaces thereof (commonly termed the "breathing" effect) the upstanding plate may be stamped out of the apron or flange i2 and bent at right angles thereto and thus leave a rectangular opening or cut-out corresponding substantially to the area occupied by the hinging portion |3.

As best shown in Fig. l, a substantially L- shaped slot is formed in the plate II in such manner as to have its leg 2| opening on or leading inwardly from the upper free edge |8 of the plate substantially at right angles to said edge. The tongue thus defined by the L-shaped slot 20 lies intermediate the sides l6 and ll of the plate and is bent outwardly, as at 26, just sufflciently to permit it to extend substantially in parallelism with the plate The space thus provided between the tongue 25 and the plate must be wide enough to accommodate freely the thickness of a flange of a furring channel or metal stud with which the fastening element i0 is intended to be engaged. Then, too, the length of the leg 2| of the slot 20 must be somewhat less than the distance between the opposing fianges of the furring channel or metal stud, and the other leg 22 must be slightly longer than the width of one flange plus the thickness of the channel web, for reasons that will be more readily apparent later. It is to be noted, furthermore, that the upper portion of the upstanding plate II is bent in a direction opposite that of the tongue 25 along a horizontal line substantially coinciding with the lower edge of the horizontal leg 22 of the slot 20. The extent of this bend is such that the upper edge of the plate, including the free outer edges of the portions H and lip 21 will lie substantially in a common plane with the fold line H, thus permitting the rapid, eflicient and unhampered engagement of the fastening element In with a furring channel or stud, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The engagement of the fastening element III with a channel or metal stud is effected without the aid of pliers or other tools in a most emcient manner. As depicted in Fig. 2, the fastening element is simply advanced into position with a channel until one flange 3| of the channel (in this instance, the bottom flange of a horizontally extending channel) is received fully within the space provided between the bent-out tongue 25 and the lip 21. In this position, the edge of the flange 3| butts up against the hinge 26 of the tongue so that the channel web or back 32 will register without hindrance with the opening 2| of the slot. By having bent the upper plate portion ii on which the tongue is located, as previously described. the edge I of the flange l2 clears the bottom of the channel 30 and permits the speedy, unhampered engagement of the fastener therewith. Positioned thusly, the, fastener I0 is rotated clockwise, as indicated by the arrow, with the web 32 and the bottom flange 3| of the channel being received respectively in the complementary-formed openings or legs 2| and 22 of the L-shaped slot 20, thus enabling the apron or flange |2 to extend in a plane more or less parallel to the plane of the flange 3| "(see Fig. 8).-. It is thus made apparent that the advancement and rotation of the fasteners may be performed with such ease by a simple wrist action as to permit the fasteners to be automatically snapped into engagement with a channel almost as rapidly as each of them can be handled.

Another advantage afforded by this novel mode of engaging fasteners of the present invention to channels or the like is that while accidental disengagement of the fasteners from the channels is practically impossible, they may, nevertheless, readily be disengaged in the process of dismantling any ceiling or wall structure in which they are employed. and economically salvaged for use again simply by reversing the two engaging steps described above. Additionally, the fasteners are freely slidable along the length of the channel and, therefore, may be positioned at any desired point therealong which may be removed from the point at which engagement first took place. Then, too, the absence of a rigid or fixed connection between the fasteners and the channels, i. e., the fact that the fasteners are not only slidable but also somewhat rockable with respect to the channel, permits a flexibility of adjustment or a so-called floating" engagement which is advantageous in maintaining the sheathin of integrated panels or tiles in a common plane regardless of expansion and contraction, vibration, or other stresses or strains causing relative movement between them.

Another form of the fastening element involving features of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and generally designated therein by the reference numeral 40. This form of fastener is adapted particularly for use in suspending furring channels from an overhead framin structure as part of a ceiling installation. Like the fastenin element l0 above described, this fastener 40 may be fashioned from sheet metal, plastic or other suitable material and comprises an elongated rectangular plate 4| squared off at one end 42 and having formed at its opposite end 43 an L-shaped slot 44 and a bent-out tongue 41, the positioning or arrangement of the tongue and slot with respect to one another being identical with that previously described in connection with fastening element iii.

In order to connect furring channels to an overhead framing structure of the type customarily employing suspended support channels extending in a, common plane across a room in spaced parallel rows, the fastening element 40 is advanced into engagement with the upper flange 33 of the channel 30 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4. As shown therein, the upper flange 33 is received in the space between the tongue 41 and the plate 4|. In this position, the web or back 32 of the channel lies in registry with the leg 45 of the right-angular slot 44 and may be received therewithin when the fastening element is rotated clockwise, as depicted by the arrow, into the generally upright position indicated in the dot-andasoaave dash outline. In this interengaged position, the upper flange 33 and the web 32 of the horizontally extending furring channel 30 are held within the complementary-formed slot 44 with the cooperation of the tongue 41 and its opposing lip 48 (see Fig. 7). While disengagement of the fasteners 40 with the channel 30 may be' effected only by counter-clockwise rotation and withdrawal, these fasteners, nevertheless, are each freely slidable along the length of the channel and may be moved to any desired location therealong which will permit their individual engagement with the transversely extending support channels of the overhead framing structure, and thus provide for an automatically level suspension of furring channels 30 in crosswise direction relative to the overhead structure.

The suspension of the channels 30 from the overhead framing structure may be accomplished quite simply and effectively by moving the suspension clip or fastener 40, already previously interengaged with the channel 30, into abutment against the web or back of the nearest support channel of the overhead framing structure and then simply bending the upper portion of the plate 4| over and then back under the upper flange. Thus, the uppermost portions of the vertically extended plate 4| will be bent virtually at right angles over the upper surface of the support channel flangeand then doubled back underneath the flange, as depicted in the dot-and-dash outline in Fig. 3, so that the suspension fastener will be securely engaged with the overhead framing or support channel. A series of perforations 49 may be located centrally along the length of the elongated plate 4|, and at proper intervals therealong to accommodate standard siz support channels either 1%" or 2" wide and having the standard /2" width flanges. While such perforations or the like are not essential, they serve to weaken the plate and facilitate bending it into locking conformity with the web and up,- per flange of a framing channel.

In order to illustrate more clearly the advantages to be attained by employing fastener elements of the present invention in modern interior installations involving built-up panel or tile units, the erection of a typical interior structure of this character, for example, a modern suspension type ceiling will be described briefly. A portion of such a ceiling structure is shown in Fig. and customarily comprises an overhead framing structure consisting of spaced channels 50 (only one shown) imbedded in the overhead concrete foundation 5| and having elongated metal straps 52 suitably aifixed thereto, as by rivets, welding or the like. These straps each extend for a desired distance beyond the foundation 5| into the room below and serve as the suspending means for the support channels 55 which are suitably aflixed to the straps as by riveting, etc., care being taken to insure the positioning of each of the thus suspended channels in a level horizontal plane. These elongated support channels usually extend across the room in parallel rows spaced about four feet apart, the bottom flanges 56 of each of these channels lying in a common plane.

Next, the furrlng channels 30 are suspended from the support channels 55 by means of the fasteners 40. A number of these fasteners are engaged with a furring channel, as previously described, and then the channel is positioned crosswise of at least two support channels, depending on its length, and butted up against the bottom flanges 5B of the latter. While the furring channel is held in this position, each of the fasteners 40 is butted up against the web 51 of the adjacent support channel 55. Then, the upper plate portion 4| of the fastener which extends beyond the upper flange 88 of the channel is bent over the flange and then bent back under, thus securing one fastener to each support channel crossed under by the furring channel and automatically suspending the latter therefrom. The required number of furring channels 30 are connected in similar fashion to the support channels 55 by means of the fasteners 40 and all are commonly suspended in a level horizontal plane.

It will be noted that these suspending fasteners are disposable at any point along the support channels so that the furring channels 30 may be spaced at any desired interval across the room, this interval being governed by the longest dimension of the kerfed panels or tiles which are selected for a particular interior sheathing installation. For example, acoustic composition tiles may be employed having their margins slotted or kerfed, as at GI, and may be of rectangular configuration, for example, 12" x 24" in dimension, which is a common size for providing an attractive covering pattern with a staggered joint effect. For such an installation, the furring channels may be spaced approximately two or three feet apart, preferably two feet.

With the furring channels 30 thus suspended in position beneath the support channels 55 by means of the suspension fasteners 40, a pair of fastening elements I0 is engaged with each of two adjacent channels 30, in the manner previously described, the fastening elements of each pair being spaced apart the width of one of the tiles, e. g., in the case of 12" x 24" tiles, approximately twelve inches.

A non-rigid, flexible yet completely secure type of suspension may be provided for the built-up tiles or covering panels 80, which also effectively prevents "breathing occurring through the joints of adjacent panels or tiles, by employing inverted T-shaped splines or runners 10 for usein connection with the fasteners l0. These thin gauge, sheet metal splines are commonly formed with wings II extending laterally from the doubled vertical main portions or stems 12 and may be employed as panel or tile supporting strips extending transversely between two adjacent parallel furring channels 30, i. e., extending in the same direction as the support channels 55.

The splines I0 may be cut to the length required for each to be positioned between a pair of fasteners l0 spaced at say two foot intervals and lying opposite each other on adjacent channels 30, the wings or flanges H of the splines simply being rested on the oppositely facing aprons or flanges l2 of two such fasteners.

The first tile A is laid up with one wing or flange of the runner 10 inserted fully within a complementary-formed longitudinal kerf or slot 6! of the tile. A second runner is then supported between another pair, of fasteners III which are positioned colinear with the opposite longitudinal edge of the partially mounted tile A, and engaged with said edge in the same manner as above, thus fully suspending the tile therebetween.

Another runner is mounted in colinear relation to the previous runner and similarly rested on and between a pair of fasteners I0. Then tile B is fed into abutment with the tile A and, at the same time, is engaged with the free wing H of the runher already supporting tile A. If the particular tile pattern to be developed involves, for example, staggered joints and rectangular tiles say 12" x 24" are used for this pattern, tile B is positioned with its transverse edge offset 12" with respect to tile A. Before another tile is fed into edgewise abutment with the oflset tile B, a cross runner 80 of inverted T-shape, same as the spline I0, but only about 12" in length is engaged with one edge of tile B. The ends of this cross runner are rested on the facing wings ll of the opposite splines and one of the cross runner's wings 8| is inserted in the slot or kerf 8|. Then the tile C is brought into edgewise abutment with tile B and engaged with the spline 80. At the same time, the tile C is butted up against tile A and engaged with the spline In extending therebetween, thus completing the staggered joint pattern formed by the thus integrated group of three tiles.

Itis noteworthy that the kerfs 6 l in the transverse edge of each tile 60 are formed either at a slightly higher level than the longitudinal kerfs 6|, or are made with a wider cut, whichever is easiest to do, in order to permit the footlong cross-splines 80 to be raised up sufliciently to slide onto the wings of the transversely extending splines Ill.

The above described ceiling installation serving to exemplify a typical application for the fasteners embodying my invention may be completed in rapid fashion, as will be readily appreciated by those versed in this field, by repeating the above steps until the entire extent of the ceiling area is covered, there being no limit to the variety of decorative patterns that may be developed. This, by reason of the fact that the fasteners of the present invention are engaged with the furring channels in such a manner as to present no obstructions or hindrances to the placement of the covering panels or tiles in any position conforming with any selected pattern. The closing of all joints between abutting tiles that is effected by the integrated network of fasteners combined with longitudinal and transverse splines prevents the undesirable filtering of dust through to the exposed surfaces of the tiles. Then, too, the relative movement permitted between the tiles by the flexibility of the present suspension structure is desirable in maintaining them at all times in a common level plane.

The simple fasteners provided in accordance with the present invention thus render it possible to use standard make channels and T-members in the rapid and efllcient erection of sturdy wall or ceiling structures of the built-up tile or panel type.

'I claim:

1. Fastening elements for suspending wall or ceiling panels from spaced elongated metal channels, each of said elements comprising a plate having panel-supporting flanges extending from one end at right angles to said plate, a channelengaging tongue located at the opposite end intermediate the sides of said plate and forming therewith an L-shaped slot opening on said last-named end, said tongue and the adjacent edges of the body of said plate being adapted cooperatively to receive and engage complementary portions of a channel.

2. Fastening elements for suspending wall or ceiling panels from spaced elongated metal channels, each of said elements comprising a plate having panel-supporting flanges extending from one end at right angles to said plate, a channelengaging tongue located at the opposite end intermediate the sides of said plate, said tongue being formed with a portion bent outwardly from said plate and a portion extending substantially in parallelism with said plate and forming therewith an L-shaped slot opening on said last-named end, said tongue and the adjacent edges of the body of said plate being adapted cooperatively to receive and engage complementary portions of a channel.

ANDERS C. OLSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,826,674 Roberts Oct. 6, 1931 1,897,776 Venzie Feb. 14, 1933 1,945,784 Myer Feb. 6, 1934 2,118,243 Venzie May 24, 1938 2,389,964 Eckel Nov. 27, 1945 

